An Affiliate of the American Orchid Society Volume 3 Number 3 March 6, 2012 TUESDAY, Mar. 6, 2012 Setup/Social Meeting 6:45 7:15 p.m. 7:15 9:00 p.m. Deicke Auditorium 5701 Cypress Road Plantation, FL Rose Maytin President 954-401-3171 1 st Vice President 954-236-3441 Elise Chapman (Membership) 2 nd Vice President 954-584-2414 Pat Payette Treasurer 954-472-8861 Karen Reynoldson Secretary 954-792-1195 Cyndy Deming Historian/Webmaster 954-835-5058 Judy Revier Hospitality/Sunshine 954-723-0723 Newsletter Editor 954-473-0456 From the President Dear POS Members: Thanks to our February speaker, Jeff Adkins, from Adkins Orchids, for the organic and user friendly orchid recipes to prevent disease and ward off pests. He gave us some very helpful advice for safe organic growing. Our March speaker is the very animated Alex Lamazares, aka The Orchid Doctor, from Orchid Mania of South Florida. Thank you for jumping in and assuming the Vice president position. We all look forward to a very productive and exciting future together. Get involved and mingle. Sign up for our Plantation Orchid Society booth at GardenFest Plantation, March 24th and 25th. We will be handing membership, fund raising and selling supplies. We will be having an orchid display inside the building. Again if you have any blooming orchids ready for show let me know. Thanks to Joe Romans one of our lifetime members and past presidents for donating pots and other supplies to P.O.S. We really appreciate your help. Orchid pots, mounts and supplies will be for sale to our members at the March meeting prior to the GardenFest sale. Plantation Orchid Society will be 50 years old in 2018. I am in the process of scanning photos and collecting memorabilia from our prior members and presidents. If you have anything to contribute in the way of pictures, awards and other information, please let me know. See you at the meeting Rose M. Maytin HELP WITH GARDENFEST! We need members to help man the Plantation Orchid Society Booth at Volunteer Park on Mar. 24th & 25th. This is a really nice event. Please sign up at the meeting.
Green Ribbon - Blc. Holiday In Magic Carpet - The Plantation Orchid Society CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FEBRUARY RIBBON WINNERS! This month s plant table was spectacular with blooms of all genera. The outstanding plants were a velvet red Vanda, V. Arkorn Burgundy Sunthorn from, the beautiful Lc. Morning Glory grown by and the white Phal from Lorna Diaz. Although not a ribbon winner the Pot. Creation Summer Choice from Carole Schwimmer had an amazing color palette and texture. Congratulations to all the plant owners and remember to bring in your plants for others to see your successes. Green Ribbon - Onc. Sphacelatum Bill David Blue Ribbon - Vanda. Arkorn Burgundy Sunthorn Green Ribbon - D. Yong Kok Wak Karen Reynoldson Blue Ribbon - Lc. Morning Glory Blue Ribbon - Paph. Macabre Blue Ribbon - Den. Spring Dream Helene Albee Blue Ribbon - Tol. Jairak Rainbow Orange Glow Rose Maytin Blue Ribbon - Ludisia Discolor Blue Ribbon - Den. Farmerii Blue Ribbon - Dtps. The Pride of Ben Yu Light of Ben Yu Red Ribbon - Onc. Twinkle Red Red Ribbon - Phal. Amablis Lorna Diaz Red Ribbon - Ludisia Discolor Bill David Red Ribbon - Lc. Bonanza Queen Ponamint Honorable Mention - Pot. Creation Summer Choice Carole Schwimmer Red Ribbon - a. Ren Tom Thumb Flicker Linda Stewart As a reminder, all plants brought in for the show table should be free of pests and diseases. Take some time to stake and clean the leaves of your plants, this allows for better presentation. Also, please do not bring newly-purchased plants for the show table. The show table is an outlet for members to share the great job they have done in growing and flowering their orchids; therefore, please respect the unwritten rule of owning and growing an orchid for a minimum of 6 months.
THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WHO BROUGHT THESE BLOOMING PLANTS FOR US TO ENJOY Bc. Binosa Helene Albee Blc. Orange Nugget Cross Blc. (Orange Nugget x Fuchs Orange Nugget) X C. Skinnerii alba Yolanda Questa ICC/AOS Blc. Tickled Pink C. Fulfolia Ketii Karen Spiotta Den. C.K.Ai Karen Spiotta Den. Kingianium Karen Reynoldson Dtps. Fusheng s Glad Lip Enc. Cochleata Rose Maytin Lc. Orglades Grand Yow Chiang Beauty Milt. Kauai s Choice Tropical Fragrance Rose Maytin Phal Noid Phal. Confetti Burst Pine Ridge Helene Albee Phal. Sogo Grape Phal. Sweet Memory Bubbles Phal. Pretty in Pink Pot Hwa Yuan Gold YK @# 2 Tol. Pretty N Pink Karen Reynoldson Tol. Red Berry Linda Stewart Say Hi to New Member Judy Malloy! Adele Mijares admires the Jeff Adkin s sale table. Elise Chapman chats with a member. HOSPITALITY Thanks to everyone who brought food to the February meeting. Judy Revier - Cookies, Karen Reynoldson - Banana Bread, Helene Albee - Raspberry Danish, Alma Woodrow - Rum Cake, Judy Bantager - Cheese & Crackers, Angela Puca - Cookies, Clemence Lorquet - Nuts, Michele Boland - Mini Cakes, Elise Chapman - Choc Chip Cake & Chocolate Strawberries. Remember, we always love the treats you bring but: PLEASE DON T FORGET TO SIGN THE SHEET SO WE CAN THANK YOU IN MARCH. Coffee and soda will be provided by the Society courtesy of Judy Revier.
OUR MARCH SPEAKER Alex Lamazares The Orchid Doctor from OrchidMania Alex Lamazares aka The Orchid Doctor will be operating at our next meeting. We last had Alex in July 2009. He was as Sybil said a hoot, funny entertaining and informative. All our members enjoyed his visit. Donated by Fairchild Tropical Garden, OrchidMania s 3,600 sq. ft. greenhouse facility is where Alex houses the plants that are donated throughout the year. This is also home to their permanent collection of rare and endangered species that have been donated by growers from all over the world. Alex Lamazares, known as The Orchid Doctor, has been the president of the organization since 1997. He is considered a respected authority amongst his peers for his no-nonsense approach to growing and caring for orchids. He delivers orchid workshops and presentations at orchid clubs and private homes, all over the state of Florida throughout the year. His latest achievement was to be invited to give a talk on orchid care and repotting at the 2008 World Orchid Congress held in Miami, Florida. Some facts about OrchidMania are: The primary mission of OrchidMania South Florida is to provide financial and moral support to grassroots AIDS prevention and relief organizations, without discriminating on the basis of race, religion, age, national origin, sex, sexual preference, or physical handicap. Moreover, it is our goal to encourage interest and enthusiasm for orchid cultivation in public areas, conservation, and appreciation while providing a positive vehicle for ANYONE to donate their time and talents to AIDS relief. The money generated by the various fund-raising activities of OrchidMania South Florida, is used to fund the needs and activities of Project Cradle, an affiliated volunteer organization of the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine s Department of Pediatrics. Voice Mail (305) 667-2992 Web site is http://orchidmaniafl.org/ CURRENT EVENTS Fairchild 9th International Orchid Festival March 9-11, 2012 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Choose from over 10,000 orchid plants from more than 50 vendors. Explore the wonder of orchids during one of our many garden workshops and walking tours. Marvel at rare orchid species in the American Orchid Society juried show, presented by the Orchid Society of Coral Gables. Visit the new Orchid Tea Room for an energizing spot of tea and dessert. Enjoy wonderful food and entertainment. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens 10901 Old Cutler Road Coral Gables, Florida For more information call 305-667-1651 or visit their website. Gardenfest 2012 Saturday, March 24, 2012 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, March 25, 2012 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Volunteer Park 12050 W. Sunrise Blvd. Plantation, FL 33232 More Info: 954-530-0076 or visit their website The GFWC, Plantation Woman s Club and the Bromeliad Society of Broward County present Gardenfest 2012 at Volunteer Park. Free Parking - Free Admission - Great Food.
THANKS TO OUR FEBRUARY SPEAKER Jeff Adkins from Adkins Orchids Our speaker in February was Jeff Adkins from Adkins Orchids and Orchid Habitats. Jeff began his presentation on orchid habitats by discussing the importance of light to orchid growth and bloom. An orchid with light, in a range of 40% sun and 60% shade, to 60% sun and 40% shade, will be a happy, great growing orchid. If a plant does not bloom, it probably needs more light. A plant, in too much shade, will keep stretching towards the light, and upon reaching sufficient light will bloom. In nature, many orchids grow on branches, in trees, towards the light. The rainforest insures that, orchids in the trees are getting lots of water. Most orchids can take sun for 3-4 hours and full sun before 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m. The exception to this rule is phalaenopsis and paphiopedilums which like bright shade. A good indicator of enough light, is the color of the leaves. Jeff explained that if your leaves are the same color as your yard grass, in full sun, you have enough light. Always move a plant from shade to sun gradually, over about a month, or it will sun burn. This is a good time of the year to acclimate plants to more light. When building a greenhouse, most people put on too much shade. Jeff likes to use wood slats for the orchid habitats he builds. These work great allowing just enough shade, and as a bonus you can hang plants from them. He uses a 1 x2 slat 4 on center with 2.5 inches between slats. If using 2 x2 slats he places them 5 on center. A screened in pool is a perfect orchid greenhouse. The screen is 30% shade, but the screen will cut down some of the air movement. Another requirement of orchids is good air movement. Every orchid wants a breeze. Insects and diseases need calm still air to thrive. Plants can cool off if there is a breeze. Air in Florida is loaded with fungal spores. When you water your plants late in the day, the spores settle on the wet dark plants and soon you have rot. Orchids should be dry by nightfall. Use a simple box fan to give relief to plants on hot days and dry them on wet days. Sprinkler systems are great during the dry season from Feb. to April. Without clouds, or shade, the orchids become dehydrated. PVC pipe can be put overhead to provide needed water. He suggests we water thoroughly and not just mist our orchids. A problem this winter was the unseasonably warm weather, which kept the plants in active growing. Normally the colder weather happens gradually, allowing the orchids to slow their growth and get thicker cell walls. When the weather abruptly goes from 80 to 40 degrees, plants will get burn damage. Another danger of the cold weather is putting wet plants into a dark garage and leaving them there for a few days until it warms up. Orchids are not mushrooms. Many cattleyas love a good cold snap. They grow in the mountains of Columbia and thrive with night temperatures in the 50 s. Most cats can take temps into the mid 30 s. Phals and vandas are helped into bloom spike by a mild chill. We live in a great area for growing orchids. Many of the great nurseries are right here in South Florida. We have tropical temps, sun, rain, humidity and the necessary cold snaps. Jeff stressed that we shouldn t let our plants become a burden. This is a hobby, after all, for most of us. He advised us to identify our wimpy plants and toss them! Do your potting all at once and get it over. Jeff pots cattleyas in volcanic rock and anything that grows out of the pot gets cut off and put into a new pot. Jeff doesn t like to use many chemicals. He gave us a couple of recipes that he uses to keep his plants healthy. For thrips and to control fungus he mixes 1 Tablespoon of baking soda with 1 Tablespoon of vegetable oil and 1 Tablespoon of ivory dish detergent mixed with 1 gallon of water. He puts this in a sprayer, agitate well and sprays on his plants. The baking soda helps to create an alkaline environment that discourages fungus. If this isn t strong enough double the ingredients to 2T of each and keep agitated while spraying. For thrips and mites he uses 4T of detergent and 1T of rubbing alcohol in a gallon of water. Spray 3 times, 7 to 10 days apart, within 30 days, to kill all the mites. Don t spray on flowers. When necessary, Jeff uses copper but be careful which plants you use it on. He also uses Physan for fungus, Sevin for slugs and Malathion when scale is bad. Spray just before sunset or early morning. Jeff can be reached at Adkins Orchids Inc. phone: 954-563-6823 e-mail: adkinsorchids@bellsouth.net.